TV notes.

`My 3 Sons,' `Family Ties' Return Via Videotape

Columbia House keeps rolling out those Collectors Editions of old television series under its re-TV video library banner. The latest to join the growing club is "My Three Sons" and "Family Ties."

Each cassette contains four digitally remastered and uncut episodes from the series. The first volume is $4.95 with subsequent volumes priced at $19.95. To order call 800-638-2922.

The "My Three Sons" collection includes the little seen black-and-white episodes from the show's first five seasons on ABC. The series revolved around widower Steve Douglas (Fred MacMurray), his three sons and their housekeeper, Steve's father-in-law Uncle "Bub," played by William Frawley.

The original three sons were played by Tim Considine (Mike), Don Grady (Robbie) and Stanley Livingston (Chip). At the beginning of the sixth season, Mike got married (Considine wanted out of the series) and moved away. That's when Steve adopted an orphan Ernie (Barry Livingston), otherwise the show would have had to change its name to "My Two Sons."

The series experienced some other changes that season too. It moved to CBS and began shooting episodes in color. Also, William Demarest joined the cast as Uncle Charley, replacing Frawley, who had died. With a total of 12 years (1960-72), "My Three Sons" remains one of the longest running sitcoms in TV history.

In "Family Ties," Meredith Baxter-Birney and Michael Gross play Elyse and Steve Keaton, two former flower children of the 1960s trying to raise three kids in the 1980s. Much to their dismay, son Alex (Michael J. Fox) is caught up in the materialistic attitude of the era and is a big fan of President Ronald Reagan.

Also in the cast playing Alex's sisters are Justin Bateman as Mallory and Tina Yothers as Jennifer. Courtney Cox played Alex's girlfriend during the final two seasons. The series ran on NBC from 1982-89.

- UPN has announced its highly anticipated animated series "Dilbert" will debut Jan. 25, a Monday, at 7 p.m.

The series, based on the popular comic strip, features the voices of Daniel Stern ("Home Alone," as well as the adult voice of Kevin Arnold of "The Wonder Years"), Chris Elliott ("Late Show," "Get a Life"), Kathy Griffin ("Suddenly Susan"), Gordon Hunt ("Mad About You" and father of actress Helen Hunt) and Larry Miller ("Seinfeld.")

- "Roger & Me" filmmaker Michael Moore will take aim at Kenneth Starr, Bill Gates and others in "The Awful Truth," a 12-part series coming next spring on the Bravo cable channel. Described as a combination of comedy and non-fiction, planned segments include one in which Moore brings Puritans to Washington to demonstrate a witch hunt and "A Gift for Bill Gates," in which the gadfly attempts to give software magnate Gates a weed trimmer for his multimillion-dollar home.

- CBS has announced a full-season pickup for "L.A. Doctors," starring Ken Olin. The network also ordered an additional five episodes of "Maggie Winters."

- HBO has renewed its critically acclaimed dramatic series "Oz" for a third season.